Weekly Roundup: Emsland secures distribution partnership with Brenntag in Russia, Solina completes Hagesüd acquisition

05 Jun 2020 ---This week in industry news, the Emsland Group announced its strategic partnership with Brenntag Food & Nutrition in Russia and Solina completed the acquisition of Hagesüd in Germany. In the same week, Corteva Agriscience announced its ten-year commitment to advance sustainability throughout the global food system. UK high-end grocer Waitrose reported its largest-ever sales for rosé wine this week.  

In brief: Business 
Emsland has revealed its latest strategic partnership with Brenntag Food & Nutrition in Russia. This partnership will reorganize the Emsland group’s sales structure in Russia. From July 1, 2020, Brenntag will take over the distribution of the Emsland product portfolio for the food industry, including native starches, modified starches, proteins and fibers based on peas and potatoes.

Solina, a European producer of savory solutions for the food industry and majority-owned by Ardian, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Hagesüd from BK Giulini, a company of ICL Group. Headquartered in Hemmingen (near Stuttgart) in Germany, Hagesüd is the leading provider of premium quality savory solutions for the butchery industry. Hagesüd is a well-recognized brand in the extensive German market. The company, founded in 1881 in Stuttgart, produces spice blends, seasonings, functional mixes, marinades and technical solutions. Hagesüd generates revenues of approximately US$28.4 million with one state-of-the-art production site in Hemmingen and a warehouse facility in Dortmund. 

In brief: Sustainability
Tate & Lyle has announced a US$75 million investment in a new natural gas-fired combined heat and power system to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits at its Lafayette South corn wet milling facility in Lafayette, Indiana, US. This investment, revealed on World Environment Day, will support the delivery of Tate & Lyle’s ambitious new sustainability targets for 2030 published last month including to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate coal from its operations, and reduce water use.

US-based agricultural chemical company Corteva Agriscience has announced its ten-year commitment to advance sustainability throughout the global food system. The goals span a wide range of initiatives for farmers, the land, communities where employees and customers live and work, and in its operations. Improvements in soil health, on-farm productivity, climate action, water stewardship, biodiversity, supply chain transparency and worker safety, among others, are included. “Our mission to lead the entire agriculture industry toward better, more sustainable outcomes across the world is more important now than ever,” says Corteva Agriscience CEO James Collins, Jr. “We believe there is no better time to commit to protecting and preserving the source of our food and helping our communities thrive.”

Jovial Foods launched its new cassava flour pasta, making it the first grain-free and gluten-free cassava-based pasta on the market. In brief: NPD
US-based Jovial Foods is launching its new cassava flour pasta, making it the first grain-free and gluten-free cassava-based pasta on the market. Jovial’s organic cassava line of pasta is also completely free of the top eight allergens, starches and gums. The company’s range is crafted in Italy by artisan pasta makers, using traditional techniques and two simple ingredients: organic cassava flour and water. Each box of pasta is US$4.99 and is available in five shapes: spaghetti, fusilli, penne, elbows and orzo. The company is focused on creating allergen-friendly, ancient varietal and artisan-crafted foods. Cassava grows in marginal soil with little water and produces more calories per acre than wheat and corn, making it a staple for over half a billion people worldwide. 

In brief: Appointments & retirements
PepsiCo has announced that Wern-Yuen Tan has been appointed CEO of Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and China, overseeing all of PepsiCo’s operations in the region. Tan, who will begin his new role on June 15, 2020, will be based in Singapore and will report to PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta. 

Alan Stewart, CFO at UK retailer Tesco, has decided to retire from the company on April 30, 2021. The board will conduct a thorough search both internally and externally to identify a successor. Stewart joined Tesco in September 2014 and, as a member of the Board and Executive Committee, has played an instrumental role in the turnaround of Tesco. He has led the corporate restructuring, rebuilt the balance sheet, guided Tesco back to investment grade, and played a huge role in the business’s economic transformation in the last six years.

Boparan Holdings (BHL), the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, has announced changes to its Non-Executive Board. Non-Executive Director Alex Russo will be leaving the business on June 30, as he will be focusing full time on his Executive role commitments. Russo also chaired the Audit Committee at BHL since May 2019. BHL also announced that former Co-op CFO Ian Ellis is joining the Board. Ellis joined the Co-op in 2015 and spent four years at the business before retiring from the CFO role. He has held several senior finance positions at Morrisons and Northern Foods Plc, and he was also previously CFO for Wilko. Ellis is also a member of the Board of Governors at Nottingham Trent University.

World Food Program USA (WFP USA) has named Molly Finn as Chief Compliance Office for eBay Inc., to its distinguished Board of Directors. As a board member, Finn will support the World Food Program USA’s advocacy and fundraising on behalf of the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP). 

Mario Jez has earned a promotion to Edlong Flavorist. Having most recently led the successful launch of Edlong’s new line of organic flavors, Mario started in the Applications Lab as a technician in 2011, transferred to the Flavor Lab in 2013, was promoted to Senior Technician in 2014, and Junior Flavorist in 2016. In 2018, Mario also began a five-year training program to become a Certified Flavorist by the Society of Flavor Chemists.

In brief: Other highlightsTotal rosé wine sales for last week were up nearly 40 percent compared to the previous year, says Waitrose.
With schools, restaurants, and hotels closed down, there is a significant deal of British seasonal vegetables destined for the foodservice industry at risk of being wasted. Advocacy group Veg Power has been asked by the Cabinet Office and DEFRA to rally support and created the #SeasonalVeg campaign to inspire the UK to eat more seasonal vegetables. Veg Power is mobilizing food writers, chefs, nutritionists, retailers, box schemes, community groups, schools, local authorities and food lovers to advocate for these seasonal vegetables on their blogs, tweets and communications. The premise is that together, consumers can shift demand a little and save waste at this time of crisis in the food system. The campaign hashtag is #SeasonalVeg, which Veg Power has chosen for its simplicity and brand neutrality. The campaign will encourage all seasonal vegetables, but to help educate people as to what is in season. 

This week, Waitrose reported its most significant ever sales for rosé wine, driven by premium bottles, as customers look to recreate their European holidays and enjoy a glass of pink in the sunshine. Total rosé wine sales for last week were up nearly 40 percent compared to the previous year, and rosé is now the fastest-growing category at the supermarket. While Provence rosé remains a favorite, customers are also looking for sophisticated rosés from Italy and Spain, with the retailer stocking 50 different rosés from 12 different countries. As a result of this trend, Waitrose has launched a range of new Italian rosé wines just in time for the summer. The new range includes:

• Gorgo Chiaretto Organic Rosé Bardolino

• Masseria Borgo Dei Trulli Primitivo IGP Salento Rosato

• Mabis La Carezza Pinot Nero

• Barone Ricasoli Albia Rosé Tuscany

By Elizabeth Green

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